Almond - Sweet
Botanical Name: Prunus dulcis
Description: Tree Flowers: white or pink late January
Native to: SE Europe, SW Asia
Part Used: Dried fruit, leaves, wood
Nutritional: Calcium, boron, B2, E, foliate, magnesium, zinc, iron
Culinary Uses: Cakes, biscuits, or grounded for flour
Digestive: Reduce cholesterol
Other Notes:
It is associated with the legend of Demophoon, who fell in love with Princess Phyllis but abandoned her for another. Phyllis was heartbroken and died so the gods changed her into an almond tree. When Demophoon heard he wrapped his arms around the tree and wept, the tree then bloomed as it was so happy
In a medieval tale a monk took water from the Nile and carried it two miles to an almond tree after two years he was rewarded by it flowering before his eyes